INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Speaking to reporters for the first time in a week -- which spanned an explosive team meeting; a lopsided loss to the San Antonio Spurs; an underwhelming win over the Indiana Pacers that included a questionable exchange with Kevin Love; and an 8-for-22 personal shooting total -- Isaiah Thomas explained himself: He says he is shouldering an undue amount of blame for the Cleveland Cavaliers' struggles.
"We've been a lowest five [rated] defensive team in the NBA the whole time [this season]," Thomas said after practice Saturday.